The Best of Spanish Caribbean

Although you will seldom hear anyone speaking of the Spanish Caribbean, it thought it would be a good idea to dedicate a post to the Spanish speaking nations of the Caribbean. The Caribbean seems like an oasis of multiculturalism in sea of Hispanic culture. Despite this much-praised region being discovered by Christopher Columbus (who was in fact a Genoese sailing under Spanish flag), numerous other nations have claimed parts of the Caribbean. Today, many of the Caribbean nations have claimed their independence, so when speaking of the best of Spanish Caribbean I actually refer to the Caribbean nations where Spanish language and culture are dominant, like the following:

Cuba

by flippinyank

It’s hard to say anything new or unheard about Cuba. A country with a turbulent past, with socialist leaders reaching cult status but also the presumably best cigars in the world, Cuba has a lot of charm but also numerous dangers. The Cuban beaches with their white and soft sand are among the best in the Caribbean. Havana is one, if not the most picturesque capitals in the Caribbean: its live music establishments and vintage cars have charmed generations of tourists and photographers. Also in Cuba don’t miss the historic city of Santiago de Cuba, with its numerous museums, churches and colonial villas.

Dominican Republic

by ronsaunders47

The Dominican Republic shares an island with a French speaking Caribbean nation, Haiti (but as an independent country Haiti is no longer considered as part of the French Caribbean). The capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo is a huge, modern city nestling the nucleus of colonization. The historic district of Santo Domingo is in fact the first European settlement in the Americas. Outside Santo Domingo you will be able to enjoy pristine beaches, as well as some amazing nature reserves (this is one of the paradoxes of visiting this country, often regarded as one of the most polluted in the Caribbean).

Puerto Rico

by oquendo

Things are even more complicated when it comes to Puerto Rico, which seems to belong more to the United States than to the Spanish crown. The English speaking culture and the Spanish speaking tradition share a common ground here. The country itself is quite unique, with forested mountains descending in fast slopes towards azure waters. The Spanish heritage in Puerto Rico is still obvious: there are a lot of Spanish speakers, but also a lot of historic places, especially in the heart of the lively capital San Juan.